The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-03-11


finds in recent issue of the Reed
City Clarion the following article
which we specially commend to the
candid attention of our readers
The supervisors Of Washtenaw
county are urgently demanding the
Legislature to reduce the rates OF
legal advertising, and right here we
would suggest the idea that the news
papers OF that county "spot" those
supervisors and see to it that they
never get elected to a position again
that is in any manner honorable, or
where they can have the handling of
public property in any way. Rates
on legal advertising are too low now,
and that with the shyster attorneys
who are constantly making the news
papers bid down TO about one third
rates of what the law says they should
receive, and what rightfully belongs
to them, is enough to make all legiti
mate newspapers loath them. But
right here we will say that the attor
neys who practice this steal are gen
tlemen by the side of the 'damfool'
editor who will thus throw away the
fees that the law says he shall receive.
Why is it that dozens of editors will
SO far forget all honor, as newspaper
men, that, in order to make a fev
dollars, they will accept one quarter
rates on a legal advertisement and
allow the attorney in the case to
pocket the other three quarters, when
the law says the newspaper shall haze
tie ach0le amount Just why this is
we have never been able to compre-
bend. One thing is sure, the Clarion
has never yet been guilty of the act,
thus cheating contemporaries out of
what rightfully belongs to them.
When an attorney writes us asking
US how much We will discount on a
certain legal notice, our answer in
variably is, "the law allows so much,
and we will not cut on rates." and
that is just the reason there are no
legals in our paper. We believe that
the newspaper men of the State
should band together for their own
protection. Make il misdemeanor
for any editor to cut OH legals or
other rates, and any editor that is
caught in the act of so doing to be
ostracised from all newspaper fratern
ity; to be looked down upon with
contempt and scorn by his fellow
beings of the craft, and if possible
boycotted (socially) to such an extent
that he will be compelled to leave the
honorable calling and allow some
man to take his place that has some
regard for right and justice, and for
his fellow man.
We hope, and believe that the
Legislature will not deem the action
Of the Washtenaw supervisors of
sufficient importance to be noticed.
That if a petition in regard to cutting
down the rates on legal printing is
presented TO them, that it will be laid
under the table so far it will never be
resurrected. Better by far have the
Legislature enact law making it
misdemeanor, punishable by fine and
Imprisonment, for any newspaper man
caught publishing legal notice for
less than legal or statute rates. AS
long as shyster attorneys can get
legals in guerilla newspapers, and
the various boards Of supervisors are
constantly making us bid down on
prices, there is but little left for the
legitimate newspaper man. The
Legislators cannot help but remember
that the newspapers Of their respect
i've localities are the powers that put
them in the honorable positions that
they now hold, and we do not believe
will enact any amendment that will
take away what little money there is
in legal printing.